Detroit Tigers: Projecting 2017 Opening Day Lineup

Detroit Tigers players have already started to report to Spring Training. With Opening Day now on the horizon, here’s a look at what Detroit’s lineup will look like for the first game of the season.

Detroit Tigers fans will see the team open the season Monday, April 3^rd in Chicago against the White Sox.

Before then, there are a few key decisions to be made.

Detroit will have to settle on a new starting center fielder, or at least some kind of solution in the middle of the outfield grass.

With Cameron Maybin having been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, one of Tyler Collins, Mikie Mahtook or JaCoby Jones will be tasked with replacing the veteran.

Elsewhere, a new bench unit will have to be selected.

Andrew Romine seems like a lock to make the team in his usual role as super-sub. Alex Avila is another player probably assured to make the team.

Detroit’s only Major League free agent signing during the offseason, the backstop is expected to back up James McCann with the Tigers.

Other than the duo, and probably one of the players who doesn’t make it as the starting center fielder, there isn’t another surefire pick.

The Tigers have plenty of options in camp, from Omar Infante to Dixon Machado and Steven Moya to Alex Presley.

While there is still uncertainty on the bench, one player who will be playing on Opening Day is Justin Verlander.

The ace was tabbed as Detroit’s number one starter earlier in the offseason.

Here’s a look at the lineup that could play behind Verlander on April 3^rd against the White Sox.